Misbah fears players facing psychological issues

Karachi: Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq has said that playing away from home since 2009 after other countries refused to tour the country on security grounds might have brought adverse psychological effects on the national team players.

Misbah said on a television show that the cricket fraternity including the International Cricket Council has to realise what the Pakistani players had been through in the last four years. "Playing constantly away from home since 2009 has made heavy demands on the players and it has taken a heavy toll on them," he said. "It is not an easy thing not being able to play at home for so long they are players in this side who have not had a chance to play international matches in Pakistan," he noted. Misbah pointed out that the recent example of England batsman Jonathan Trott should serve as an eye-opener. "Jonathan Trott`s example should be an eye-opener for the world. Imagine what the players have gone through in all these years. "I think it`s time that the ICC and other cricket nations support Pakistan because international cricket away from home has tough demands on the players," Misbah said. "There is non stop international cricket these days and it is extremely hard on the players to be away from their families for such long periods," he added. No Test playing nation has visited Pakistan since March 2009 when militants attacked the Sri Lankan team in Lahore. The Pakistan captain also conceded that a change in approach and planning was required to prolong the careers of top players. He agreed that injured fast bowler Mohammad Irfan was overused in the `home` series against South Africa. "In the future we would have to be extra cautious with our important players," he said.